Los Alamos National Laboratory employees pledged a record $356,550 to the 2015 Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund (LAESF) drive, the lab announced this week.
The drive encourages LANL employees, retirees and subcontract personnel to donate to a fund that awards college scholarships to northern New Mexico students.
Additionally, more employees participated in this year’s campaign than in past years, LANL announced.
“Our employees know first-hand that education can unlock opportunity for these talented students who hold the promise to be future leaders in government, industry or the nonprofit sector,” said Steve Girrens, LANL associate director for Engineering Sciences, this year’s LAESF scholarship drive champion. “This scholarship program provides an opportunity for employees, contractors and retirees to play a valuable role in helping our region’s high school and college academic stars attain their higher education goals.”
Coupled with $250,000 in matching funds from Los Alamos National Security, the total amount contributed in this year’s campaign is nearly $607,000.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of grade-point average, test scores, diversity, financial need, academic rigor, leadership and community involvement.
The LANL Foundation manages the scholarship program for LANL.
The LANL Foundation is organized and operated as a New Mexico nonprofit corporation.
The foundation’s mission is to enhance the vitality of northern New Mexico by investing in education, learning and community development.